Ok, Let’s Deal With The Rock Hall Noms

Is it me or is the 2026 list of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame completely bonkers? Like, we don’t need to have the argument again about how the hall isn’t about rock – but seriously, it is sort of spastic. The noms:

The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckely, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden, Joy Division, New Edition, Oasis, PINK, SADE, Shakira, Luther Vandross, Wu-Tang Clan.

Like, what?

This is Maiden’s third nod. They’ve said in the past they don’t want to be inducted and don’t care, but I suspect that it will happen this year. Same for Jeff Buckley. Probably Oasis too… but Pink? Shakira? Mariah Carey? Seems kind of bonkers. And it feels like every artist with more than one hit gets nominated now. Not that those three ladies aren’t massive talents, because they certainly are – especially Mariah. But man. Also how is Phil Collins not already in as a solo artist? He got in with Genesis back in 2010, but still. At least Joy Division is exceptionally influential to pop music. They changed the sound of a lot of acts after they debuted. And Wu-Tang is clearly for the children, so maybe that’s what pushed them over the edge.

The Rock Hall even got out in front of their noms this year by writing “rock and roll has always been bigger than one sound.” The comments on the announcement post are wild as you would expect.